Almay Shadow Softies

Almay is the one drugstore brand that never really interested me. I suppose it's because I never hear about their products being good, and usually their packaging is quite boring. Of course that all changed when I saw these cute, lower case 'a' shaped shadows, I had to take them home with me to try! 

The display stated that these were a 'whipped' formula, but in reality they feel like a weird cream to powder shadow crossed with a Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush. I was so thrown off by the texture, it's just awful. The pigmentation is even more difficult to work with. I had to use countless layers to get any sort of payoff, and to make things worse, they disappear when they are blended.

There are 12 shades to choose from, 6 'matte' and 6 'metallic'. I have a video clip of the full display in my latest haul video, if you would like to see it here.

Here's the packaging! I think that this an updated look for Almay.

 Here's an up close look at the texture. If you look closely, you can see how these have an indent after I used them. I'm not sure if you can tell, but these are also very powdery. 

 Swatches from left to right: Smoke, Fudge, and Creme Brulee. 

I used about five layers to get these swatches to show up on my skin. 

Claims: " Lightweight, Crease-free, Pure Color".
Pigmentation: These barely have any pigmentation. I had to layer the shadow about four plus times to get any sort of payoff. When I tried blending these with other shadows or using them as base, it completely disappeared! 
Finish/Texture: I bought two mattes and one shimmer, it's not metallic as it says. The texture on these is weird- it feels like a powdery version of a Dream Bouncy Blush from Maybelline. It's almost putty-like, but you really have to press into it to get any payoff. 
Lasting Power: These completely disappeared as soon as I blended them out with other shadows. When I wore them alone they didn't even last an hour. Which is absurd. 
Packaging: The packaging is probably the best thing about these. It's shaped like a cute lower case 'a' and it snaps shut nicely. 
Price/Availability: I paid $4 each at Bed Bath and Beyond.

Likes:

• Nice packaging
• Inexpensive

Dislikes:

• No lasting power
• Weak pigmentation
• Difficult to work with
• Odd texture

Overall:
Basically, these shadows are useless for my everyday needs. They have an odd texture, and you really have to take your time to build up pigmentation, not that there's much. They have no lasting power at all, and I'm not one for reapplying eyeshadow during the day..who is? I think you all get the idea of how bad these are! 

Also, I really don't get how Almay could claim these to be a whipped texture. It's not whipped at all! It's a obscure mix that feels like a powdery dream bouncy blush from Maybelline. Even if you prefer the natural look, I just don't see the point in these shadows! Better luck next time Almay.

I also have a full video review and demo of the Shadow Softies below! 

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